James McCaw is a mathematical biologist and epidemiologist and past Australian Research Council Future Fellow (2011 15) at the University of Melbourne. After obtaining a PhD in theoretical physics in 2005, he turned his interests to a recognised needs area in Australia mathematical modelling of infectious diseases to inform public health policy. He now holds a teaching and research position split between the School of Mathematics & Statistics and the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. He also holds an honorary appointment at the Peter Doherty Institute. Since January 2020 he has served as an expert member of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, advising government on the epidemiology of COVID-19.